Sufism is the ascetic element of Islam and it derives from the Sunni tradition. Scholars trace the word to two possible roots: â€œsufâ€, Arabic for wool, or â€œsafaâ€, which means purity. Both roots describe the ascetics of the early days of Islam, as Muslims committed themselves to purity of heart and were known to wear wool robes.

Various schools of Sufism developed by Arabs during the Damascus-based Ummayed (660-750AD) and Baghdad-based Abbasid (750-1258AD) eras. Independent Persian ascetic tradition also developed during that time. Sufism continued through Ottoman times (1299-1923AD), and various schools that still exist today began developing in Turkey.

One Sufi tradition that has become popular with the layperson is the whirling dervishes. They are men dressed in white thobes, though in performances some wear colourful dresses that rise when the dervish whirls. This creates an awesome scene of several Sufis spinning anti-clockwise in unison, their arms stretched upwards or sideways, with one palm always facing down toward earth, the other up towards the heavens.

Dervishes whirl to a background of zikr music or chorus, the religious equivalent of longing to be with someone. In the case of Sufism, the longing is to be with God, and the Sufi singers chant about their love of God, how they miss Him and long to meet Him.

This is the principle of tawheed, which means unity, to become â€œperfectâ€, as in perfect unity with God.

One of the most popular forms of zikr that requires little preparation and is used by many Sufis is the hypnotic repetition of the word Allah with four beats in between. It can be done with or without musical instruments in the background, and sometimes groups do it for hours before they come out of their meditative state.

Over the centuries, the experience of Sufis has been mixed, as some Caliphs persecuted them for heresy while others nurtured the tradition. Sufism is a batini tradition, meaning it is internal, private, a sort of direct connection between the Sufi and the Creator, much like the concept of feeling love, an internal connection between creatures.

In recent years, Sufism has become very popular in the West along with other Eastern ascetic traditions like yoga and various forms of meditation. Many westerners consider themselves Sufis but non-Muslim, which to most traditional Sufi masters is unacceptable. Sheikh Hamza Shakour said he meets many western Sufis who â€œunderstand the word without knowing Arabic, because it is truth, spoken from a pure heart and sincere mouthâ€.

At a recent event in New York City, a French Sufi led an audience of curious New Yorkers through a zikr session, repeating the world Allah with four beats in between, then taught them how to whirl.

George, you are correct to an extent. What the pre-Islamic sages practiced was not exactly Sufism but other exercises reaching the same conclusion, oneness with the ultimate Reality, or in Arabic, “Ma’arifa.”

I simply want to tell you that I’m very new to weblog and seriously savored you’re web blog. Likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You amazingly have fabulous articles. Thanks for revealing your blog site.

There are extremely plenty of details prefer that to take into consideration. Which is a great indicate mention. I supply the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly you will find questions like the one you bring up where biggest factor will be in the honest very good faith. I don?t know if guidelines have emerged about items like that, but Almost certainly that your chosen job is clearly known as a reasonable game. Both boys and girls have the impact of a little moment’s pleasure, through out their lives.

Somebody necessarily help to make significantly posts I would state. That is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point? I surprised with the research you made to create this actual put up amazing. Great job!

Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is just great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.

Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I am very glad to see such fantastic information being shared freely out there.

I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers

Somebody essentially help to make critically posts I would state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this particular submit amazing. Fantastic process!

What i do not realize is in reality how you’re now not really a lot more smartly-liked than you may be now. You’re so intelligent. You recognize therefore considerably in relation to this subject, made me personally imagine it from a lot of various angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated until it is one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your personal stuffs great. Always maintain it up!

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hey there. I discovered your site by the use of Google at the same time as looking for a comparable topic, your site came up. It appears to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

I do trust all the ideas you’ve offered for your post. They’re very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too quick for starters. Could you please prolong them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is really annoying. A good web site with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hey there. I discovered your blog by way of Google at the same time as searching for a similar matter, your web site got here up. It appears to be good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually annoying. A good web site with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this web-site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really irritating. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good blog with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really annoying. A good web site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is actually irritating. A good site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good blog with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hello there. I found your site by the use of Google while searching for a comparable topic, your site got here up. It appears to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really frustrating. A good site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this web-site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hello there. I discovered your website by the use of Google at the same time as looking for a similar subject, your website came up. It seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is really frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is really frustrating. A good web site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web-site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good web site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually annoying. A good web site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this web-site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really frustrating. A good blog with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually irritating. A good site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is actually annoying. A good site with interesting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually annoying. A good web site with exciting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hello there. I discovered your web site by way of Google at the same time as looking for a similar matter, your website got here up. It seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is actually annoying. A good website with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is really frustrating. A good web site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web-site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is really frustrating. A good web site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really frustrating. A good web site with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web-site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hello there. I discovered your website by means of Google at the same time as searching for a comparable matter, your website came up. It appears great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good website with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good web site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web-site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really frustrating. A good site with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hey very nice site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I am satisfied to seek out a lot of useful info here in the post, we want develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing.

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good website with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web-site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually annoying. A good website with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is really frustrating. A good website with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

hello!,I love your writing very a lot! percentage we keep up a correspondence more about your article on AOL? I require a specialist in this area to unravel my problem. Maybe that’s you! Taking a look ahead to look you.

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is really frustrating. A good blog with interesting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

I’ve recently started a site, the info you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work. “Her grandmother, as she gets older, is not fading but rather becoming more concentrated.” by Paulette Bates Alden.

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is really irritating. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this website, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Thanks for the post. I have continually seen that a lot of people are desperate to lose weight simply because wish to show up slim in addition to looking attractive. Even so, they do not usually realize that there are more benefits just for losing weight as well. Doctors claim that fat people are afflicted with a variety of conditions that can be perfectely attributed to their particular excess weight. The good news is that people who definitely are overweight and suffering from diverse diseases can help to eliminate the severity of their own illnesses by simply losing weight. You are able to see a continuous but identifiable improvement with health as soon as even a small amount of losing weight is reached.

Howdy very cool web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally…I am glad to find a lot of useful info here within the publish, we need work out extra strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing.

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good web site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hi there. I discovered your site by the use of Google while looking for a comparable subject, your web site came up. It appears to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually irritating. A good website with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is actually annoying. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web-site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really irritating. A good website with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is actually annoying. A good website with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

My husband and i felt so thrilled that Albert could conclude his analysis through the precious recommendations he was given out of your weblog. It is now and again perplexing just to be offering strategies that the others could have been selling. We really discover we need the writer to be grateful to for that. The type of illustrations you’ve made, the simple website menu, the relationships you will assist to promote – it’s everything superb, and it’s letting our son in addition to the family understand the situation is enjoyable, and that’s highly vital. Thank you for all the pieces!

Hello there. I discovered your blog by the use of Google whilst searching for a comparable subject, your website got here up. It seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is actually irritating. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web-site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is actually irritating. A good web site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good website with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good website with exciting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really annoying. A good site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is really irritating. A good website with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hello there. I discovered your website by the use of Google even as looking for a related subject, your web site came up. It seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is really irritating. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is really irritating. A good blog with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this web-site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really annoying. A good site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hi there. I discovered your site by means of Google at the same time as searching for a related matter, your website got here up. It looks great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

Hello there. I found your web site by the use of Google at the same time as looking for a similar matter, your site got here up. It seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

Hello there. I discovered your website by means of Google at the same time as searching for a comparable subject, your web site came up. It appears to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is actually irritating. A good site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually annoying. A good site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is actually annoying. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really frustrating. A good website with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really annoying. A good website with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

I’m commenting to make you understand what a remarkable discovery our princess developed reading through yuor web blog. She mastered numerous details, with the inclusion of what it’s like to possess a wonderful teaching style to let many others quite simply know a variety of very confusing topics. You undoubtedly did more than visitors’ expectations. I appreciate you for producing these useful, safe, edifying not to mention cool thoughts on this topic to Tanya.

Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is actually annoying. A good website with exciting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?